Fruit likely contaminated by nearby fields: councilGOING BANANAS: The Council of Agriculture said it would strengthen regulation and inspection of fruit farms exporting to Japan to ensure product qualityBy Yang Yuan-ting and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writerA shipment of bananas that was rejected by Japan early this month might have been contaminated by nearby fields, the Council of Agriculture (COA) said yesterday. Council of Agriculture Deputy Minister Chen Junne-jih speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday concerning recent agricultural issues. This means 30 percent of the fruit is tested per shipment, instead of the previous 3 to 5 percent per shipment, Chen said. Asked about local media reports about a shortage of agricultural packaging materials, Chen said that demand for cardboard packaging has surged as manufacturers and other businesses pick up in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The council has taken steps to secure packaging materials for the 16 hardest-hit farmers’ cooperatives from the nation’s leading paper manufacturers, he said, adding that a platform would be created to distribute packaging materials to farmers.

“Advocates in Taiwan are looking catch up with the global community on the decriminalization and medical use of cannabis, but the judicial system still restricts it and classifies it as an illegal drug. Any change will have to start with members of the legislature’s Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee initiating amendments,” Lim said. Taiwan Statebuilding Party Legislator Chen Po-wei (陳柏惟) also urged lawmakers to review reports and scientific evidence on the benefits of medical cannabis and push for its decriminalization. However, it would be a long process due to opposition from some sectors and its current listing as a Category 2 narcotic drug under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act (毒品危害防制條例 ), he said. Tomorrow’s event is to start at 1pm on Jinan Road next to the Legislative Yuan, the organizer said.

Tax act amendment set to plug tax evaders’ loopholeBy Chen Cheng-hui / Staff reporterThe Executive Yuan yesterday approved an amendment to the Tax Collection Act (稅捐稽徵法) that would increase fines for tax evasion, aiming to fix a loophole that allows tax evaders to get away with milder penalties. Under the existing act, people found to have intentionally evaded paying their taxes face a fine of up to NT$60,000 (US$2,114) or five years in prison. The amendment would increase the maximum fine for mild tax fraud to NT$5 million, it added. The amendment changes the reward for those who report tax evaders to 20 percent of the amount of taxes evaded or up to NT$4.8 million, although tax bureau personnel, tax inspectors, their spouses and close relatives are ineligible for rewards. The revised act is to be forwarded to the Legislative Yuan for further deliberation, the Executive Yuan said in the statement.

More than 100 questioned in TRA probe: prosecutorBy Jason Pan / Staff ReporterMore than 100 people have been questioned in connection with a Taroko Express train crash in Hualien on April 2, Hualien Prosecutor Chou Fang-yi (周芳怡) said yesterday. The remarks came in response to criticism that slow progress had been made in the investigation of the incident. Hualien Prosecutor Chou Fang-yi speaks to reporters in Hualien City yesterday. Local media reported that the person is Hoa, who was allegedly ordered to warn incoming trains of the obstacle on the tracks. The investigation is also focused on corruption allegations involving Taiwan Railway Administration and government officials, he said.

Transport minister Lin’s resignation is approved‘POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY’: A mechanism for families affected by a train crash in Hualien would be put in place at the ministry before he leaves, Lin saidBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterPremier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) on Wednesday approved Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung’s (林佳龍) resignation after informing President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of his decision, the Executive Yuan said yesterday. Tsai and Su considered it a top priority to resume railway service after the derailment, leading to the delayed acceptance of Lin’s resignation, Lo said. “The resignation was approved on Wednesday and is to take effect on Tuesday next week,” he said. “We are still interviewing potential candidates for the post and will announce when a new transportation minister is found,” Lo said. Premier Su Tseng-chang, second left, and Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung attend a mourning service in Taipei yesterday for victims of a Taroko Express crash on April 2.

No defense alert during US talks: MND‘MINIMAL RISK’: Chinese military activity near the Nanpeng Islands in the South China Sea was not designated ‘exercises,’ a national defense official saidBy Jake Chung / Staff writer, with CNANo air defense missile systems had been activated before a US delegation arrived in Taipei on Wednesday, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said yesterday. Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng speaks to reporters in Taipei yesterday ahead of a meeting of the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee. In Taipei, Minister of National Defense Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) told reporters ahead of a meeting of the legislative’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee that Taiwan is tracking all Chinese military movements. Chiu denied that the military had put anti-aircraft missile systems and units on alert to ensure the safe arrival of the US delegation. The ministry did not report any Chinese military aircraft entering Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Wednesday, but there were two incursions by Chinese J-16 fighters yesterday afternoon.

Kingray to gear up for approval as new vendorBy Angelica Oung / Staff reporterOptical filter maker Kingray (晶瑞光電) yesterday said it plans to raise capital to purchase equipment to massively expand production after it becomes an approved vendor for STMicroelectronics NV. “Getting that vendor code was a very difficult process,” Kingray chief executive officer Leo Tsou (鄒政興) said, adding that STMicroelectronics would be a “key client.”STMicroelectronics is the maker of time-of-flight (TOF) modules for Apple Inc, among other clients. TOF modules require a narrow band pass filter (NBPF) to isolate the infrared wavelength, which is optimal for facial recognition. Kingray Technology Co chief executive officer Leo Tsou, left, and chief financial officer Rio Lai pose for a photograph at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. “We are hoping to reach profitability possibly in the third quarter of 2021,” chief financial officer Rio Lai (賴俊文) said.

Hsinchu tech firms still have enough water, officials sayBy Jonathan Chin / Staff writer, with CNAGovernment officials yesterday said that the technology sector in Hsinchu County has enough water for now, before touting water supply diversification as the solution to the county’s long-term needs. Hsinchu County Deputy Commissioner Chen Chien-hsien (陳見賢) and Deputy Minister of the Interior Hua Ching-chun (花敬群) made the remarks after inspecting the Jhubei (竹北) Water Recycling Center in Hsinchu. Members of the legislature’s Internal Administration Committee listen to a briefing by the Hsinchu County Government during an inspection of the Jhubei Water Recycling Center in Jhubei yesterday. There is enough water to supply Hsinchu “for now,” and the central government is making it its responsibility to ensure the county’s valuable tech sector does not run out of water, Hua said. The government has recently opened a desalination facility in Hsinchu City to provide water for household use, she added.

MOTC vows transparency in use of derailment fundsBy Chen Yun and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writerThe Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) yesterday at a Legislative Yuan hearing said that the spending of funds raised after the Taroko Express derailment on April 2 would be completely transparent and detailed online. Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Chiu Chen-yuan, center, accompanied by Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Chi Wen-chung, right, answers reporters’ questions in Keelung on Monday. The MOTC stands by its promise to shoulder all responsibility necessary, Chen said, adding that the donations would not be used to pay for anything that the MOTC should cover. A committee has been established to oversee use of the funds and every expenditure is to be itemized and listed publicly on the Internet, Chen said. Chen said the MOTC has made such an effort and would work with the MOHW on the matter.

AU Optronics touts expansion in China‘WHOLE INDUSTRY AFFECTED’: Supply constraints might persist, and as its plants operate near full capacity, not all orders could be fulfilled, the flat-panel maker saidBy Lisa Wang / Staff reporterAU Optronics Corp (友達光電) is planning to expand capacity amid strong demand for high-end display panels used in premium notebook computers and monitors during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period, the company said yesterday. The firm plans to boost capacity at its sixth-generation plant in Kunshan, China, to about 36,000 sheets per month from 27,000 sheets, AU Optronics said, adding that the expansion would be ready in the third quarter of next year. Photo: Chen Mei-ying, Taipei TimesThe facility manufactures power-efficient low-temperature polysilicon flat panels for premium notebook computers and monitors targeting online gamers, it added. The company is also to allocate manufacturing capacity for panels used in notebook computers and monitors, Ko said. AU Optronics’ board of directors last month approved capital expenditures of NT$455 million for technology and capacity optimization and adjustments.

Next Bank head resigned over costly IT: legislatorFORCED OUT? Following an on-site inspection, the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) mandated an update to the bank’s system. The bank’s internal rules stipulate that purchases of more than NT$5 million require approval by the board, Fai said, adding that the board did not discuss the matter. “The board meeting in February did not discuss the matter,” Liu said. Next Bank said in a statement that it is still in the procurement process for the improvement of its IT system, adding that it would proceed in line with internal control requirements.

Photo: Kao Shih-ching, Taipei TimesAlthough some people think that only younger clients prefer electronic bills, many credit card holders in their 50s receive digital bills, as this saves them trouble recycling the papers, he said. The bank could save NT$960,000 (US$33,761) per year if 10,000 cardholders who receive paper bills opted for digital bills, he said. “We must offer paper bills unless customers opt out of the service. Over a year, that accumulates to 900 million bills, Hu said, adding that about 70 percent of credit card users receive paper bills. “Paper bills are an environmental issue Taiwan needs to work on,” he said.

Yulon Motor cuts sales forecast in Taiwan by 3.8%By Lisa Wang / Staff reporterYulon Motor Co (裕隆汽車) yesterday cut its forecast of vehicle sales in Taiwan to 427,000 units this year, attributable to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as supply constraints of automotive semiconductors and shipping containers. Yulon forecast that sales would decline 3.8 percent from 444,000 vehicles sold last year. Yulon Motor Co senior vice president Lee Chien-hui, right, and deputy spokesperson Hsieh Hsun-kuei attend an investors’ conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Amy Yang, Taipei TimesThe government might also phase out incentives for replacing older vehicles, which would weigh on the market, Yulon vice president Lee Chien-hui (李建輝) told investors in Taipei. Due to concerns over the possible cancelation of the policy, vehicle sales in the first quarter increased by 17.3 percent year-on-year to 118,000 units, he said.

Photo: Yang Mien-chieh, Taipei TimesFrom 2018 to this year, the commission handled 61 arbitration cases, commission data showed. Channels and cable operators often threatened to terminate broadcasts, and would not be fined if they actually did so. NCC Vice Chairman and spokesman Wong Po-tsung (翁柏宗) said that cable operators and channels would first seek to settle issues through mediation by the commission. The commission would form an arbitration committee to review requests, Wong said. The committee would decide on a temporary fee that cable operators should pay to channels.

Highest-ever bonuses given last yearStaff writer, with CNAEmployees in Taiwan received an average bonus of NT$70,513 (US$2,479.8) for last year, the highest-ever despite economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) reported on Tuesday. The average year-end bonus for last year, up from NT$69,577 in 2019, was calculated by combining all non-regular wages, such as bonuses, that employees received from December last year to February this year, it said. Photo: Clare Cheng, Taipei TimesIn Taiwan, companies tend to give year-end bonuses as an incentive to their employees before the Lunar New Year holiday. The three sectors with the highest year-end bonuses last year were finance and insurance (3.92 months), real estate (2.39 months) and manufacturing (1.82 months). The sectors with the lowest year-end bonuses were those hardest-hit by the pandemic: the hospitality and food and beverage industries (0.49 months), as well as arts, entertainment and recreation venues (0.46 months), Chen said.